There are many reasons why people may hesitate to participate in addiction or mental health treatment. Some people may believe that they have it in them to cease their substance use or navigate their emotional concerns on their own. Others may postpone treatment entry because they assume that treatment is beyond their financial reach or because they are otherwise “too busy” to dedicate time to their healing. No matter what excuse you may use for postponing treatment entry and engagement, understand that there is nothing more important than prioritizing your recovery. Beginning treatment sooner than later is critical to your health and well-being, ensuring you can live the healthiest and most fulfilled life possible.
At Avalon Malibu, we want you to understand that you do not have to put your life on hold to participate in treatment to heal from substance abuse, trauma, or other mental health concerns. We recognize that each client has different past experiences, present concerns, and future recovery goals that must be addressed in treatment, which is why we utilize an individualized approach to care. By trusting us to create a treatment plan that works for your needs and schedule, your healing journey can begin immediately.
Prioritizing Your Recovery: Recognizing Your Need for Professional Support
Nearly half of the battle of prioritizing your recovery is accepting that healing is possible and that you are worthy of such healing. No matter what experiences you have gone through in your life, you have to understand that you are worthy of recovery. Once you accept this, you may ask yourself, “What does it look like to prioritize my recovery?” Prioritizing your recovery requires you to make a commitment to both self-improvement and self-care. Yet, many obstacles may stand in the way of these important commitments, so you may need to reflect on the situations and circumstances that have brought you here.
For instance, if you are contemplating whether or not to cease alcohol and drug use, it is important to reflect on the impact that your continued substance use has had – and continues to have – on your well-being. Contrary to what you may think, you do not need to have a long-lasting diagnosis to begin treatment. If you feel that your substance use has interfered with your interpersonal relationships, career, or merely your ability to function well in daily life, it is enough reason to seek out professional guidance and start prioritizing your recovery.
On the other hand, perhaps you are experiencing lingering mental health symptoms or substance abuse as a result of trauma from your past. As explained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Substance use, mental health conditions, and other risky behaviors have been linked with traumatic experiences.”
Unresolved trauma can lead to a dysregulated nervous system, causing an individual to feel anxious, on edge, or otherwise aroused when there is no present threat to their well-being. As a result, you may be engaging in alcohol and drug use or other behavioral addictions in an attempt to self-medicate unresolved trauma, which can inform continued mental health problems. Fortunately, professional treatment can help you reestablish safety and security in both your body and your environment.
Recognizing your need for professional treatment can seem daunting, yet it helps to build a foundation of motivation for truly prioritizing your recovery and your healing. If your reasons to pursue treatment are clear, then it’s time to address other factors that may cause you to hesitate to enter treatment.
Identifying Obstacles That May Be Blocking You From Treatment Entry
According to the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, some of the most common barriers to treatment-seeking include:
- Previously having a bad experience with treatment
- Uncertainty of the treatment process
- Embarrassment of needing professional help
- Being afraid of seeing someone in treatment
- Time conflict
- Lack of acknowledgment of a problem
- Fear of disappointing loved ones
Do any of these barriers or fears stand in your way of prioritizing your recovery? If so, it is important to challenge these reasons and fears by coming up with realistic ways to navigate them. Remember, you are worthy of recovery. Therefore, any barrier that may be blocking you from treatment entry can be overcome.
For example, if you feel embarrassed because you need professional help, consider where this emotion is surfacing from. Perhaps you are associating with the societal stigma of those who use drugs or struggle with mental health problems. If this is the case, it is essential to understand that stigma is caused by misinformation, likely perpetuated by people who could benefit from professional help. By accepting that you cannot overcome your symptoms on your own, you are embracing courage. Additionally, your participation in treatment may empower a loved one or friend to seek out the help they need to heal as well.
Consider confiding in a trusted loved one and discuss some of your doubts or fears about participating in professional treatment. By exploring these concerns, you are already one step closer to prioritizing your recovery.
Prioritizing Your Recovery With Avalon Malibu
At Avalon Malibu, we focus on potential, not pathology. We want to help you not only achieve recovery but also develop lasting happiness in your healing journey. You owe this to yourself. By prioritizing your recovery through professional treatment, you will learn that the process of healing is one of self-realization that will allow you to become the version of yourself you’ve always wanted to be.
Anyone can come up with excuses for not participating in a professional treatment program. However, it takes a significant amount of courage and dedication to accept a personal need for help. Prioritizing your recovery may first involve recognizing that you are, indeed, worthy of healing. It also involves identifying and overcoming the obstacles that may stand in your way from entering and engaging with treatment. At Avalon Malibu, we have a plethora of treatment programs and therapeutic options to ensure that your healing journey is individualized to meet your unique needs and recovery goals. Allow us to walk alongside you and guide you as you learn the beauty of prioritizing yourself. Call (844) 857-5992 today.
